Bromley Local Studies Library only has a very small number of things relating to Gypsy and Traveller culture, but there is a strong history of Travellers in the area, and staff are very happy to help anyone who has a specific enquiry.

Whilst there have been Travellers in the Bromley area for as long as there's been a presence in England, it's probably only since the 19th century that Gypsies were present in large numbers. By the end of the 19th century, West Kent had become a significant Traveller base.

The collection at Bromley consists of the work of one or two families who have traced their own history in the area; some academic works about Gypsy life, as well as 6 - 10 photographs of Traveller life in the 1940s and 50s. Since the culture has traditionally been oral, the few things held at Bromley have tended to be generated by non-Travellers.

There are longer term plans for an oral history of Gypsy and Traveller culture to be collected in the area - if you are interested in knowing more about this, please get in touch with the archive.